civilized

adjective

civ·​i·​lized ˈsi-və-ˌlīzd 

: characteristic of a state of civilization

civilized society

especially : characterized by taste, refinement, or restraint

Synonyms of civilized

• cultured
• polished
• accomplished

Examples of civilized in a Sentence

A civilized society must respond to crime with fairness and justice.

Stop yelling. We have to be more civilized about this.

Try to act like a civilized human being!

a civilized way to spend the evening

Recent Examples on the Web

Libraries are among the most democratic institutions a civilized society has ever devised. —James Porter, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026

In Raspail’s tale, hordes of impoverished and dark-​skinned brutes from India descend onto French shores by way of rafts, the first wave of an invasion of the civilized West by the brown-​skinned developing world. —Literary Hub, 8 Apr. 2026

One does detect in Iran hawks a kind of 'will to destruction' and hatred of boring, civilized diplomacy. —Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026

Denying them those opportunities in an attempt to punish their parents should be abhorrent to any civilized nation. —Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing civilized

• civilized world
• hyper-civilized
• ultra-civilized

Rhymes for civilized

• acclimatized
• actualized
• aerosolized
• alphabetized
• aluminized
• anaesthetized
• anesthetized
• annualized
• antagonized
• apologised
• apologized
• capitalised